Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith of Springfield, Massachusetts. The purpose of the game was to have a fun activity that could bring people together. Although there are many variations of the game, when playing competitively, the basic rules seem to remain the same.
Number of Players
Generally, a team is comprised of 10 to 15 players. Five players per team are on the court at the same time.
Positions
Generally, the tallest player will be the center. Midsized players are forwards. And the shortest players are the guards. The center is used for the jump-ball play to start the game. A forward will usually play with his back to the basket while on offense and try to get to the inside to draw fouls or grab rebounds. Forwards usually take shots from the inside. The guard is typically the best ball-handler and tends to shoot three-pointers and other outside shots.
Scoring
Points are scored when the ball is thrown into the basket from above the hoop. Shots are worth one, two or three points depending on the circumstances. After a foul, a player will shoot from the free-throw line. Any shots made on foul shots are worth one point. During normal play, if a player makes a basket from within the black three point line, the shot is worth two points. If the basket is made from outside the three point line, three points are awarded on the shot.
Regulation and Overtime
Depending on the level of basketball being played, the length of the game will vary. In high school, a game is 32 minutes. In college, a game is 40 minutes. In the NBA, a game is 48 minutes. If a game is tied at the end of regulation, an overtime period is played and the team with the most points at the end of overtime is declared the winner.
Violations
A violation occurs when one of the general rules are broken and it results in the opposing team being awarded the ball. The most common violations are traveling, which is taking more than two steps without dribbling the ball, and double dribble, which happens when a player stops bouncing the ball, then starts again or uses both hands to dribble. A carry happens when a player who is in contact with the ball twists his hand under the ball.
Fouls
A foul is an illegal play or action that is committed by one player to another. Generally, basketball is a noncontact game so if excessive contact occurs, a foul is committed. Defensive fouls occur when an offensive player is being pushed, held, tripped or aggressively blocked by the defender. An offensive foul occurs when a defender is stationary and the offensive player charges into him. When a player is fouled, he is awarded one, two or three free throws, depending on the severity of the foul and how many fouls the opposing player and team previously had in the game.
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